Military Intelligence

I have some substantial questions about being an Intelligence officer (particularly in the Army). I have been appointed to USMA and am still hazy on some of these concepts below. They are directed mainly towards a very specific audience, so it is possible no one will be able to answer some of these questions. That's fine. Thank you.

-What tasks are involved as an intelligence officer? If I understand correctly (please correct these assumptions if they are skewed), you pick your base but you might train somewhere else in preparation for going to Fort Hood, for example. Once you get situated at your selected base, the Army will give you tasks to do that will probably involve analyzing material in some way. Will the tasks you do depend on what post you go to (maybe some post has a military intelligence specialization) or is it all just circumstantial? Also, if you perform well, are you "rewarded" with a more critical task or something or do you generally stay in the same position? Will the job of a person who majored in counterterrorism and Arabic differ from the job of a person who majored in Farsi and computer science? So generally, I am wondering if your skills and outside knowledge will give you an advantage in both performing well and doing the things you're interested in.

-Will you necessarily have a platoon of people under you like I would imagine in a branch such as infantry?

-Also, what type of person is successful in a military intelligence position? (capabilities, education etc.)

-Are you going to move around no matter what for your 5 years (and beyond) or just stay at the same post? What determines this if anything? Also, what is the likelihood that an officer will be going to the Middle East or wherever the conflict is? Is the impression correct that intelligence is largely centered around technology and not necessarily located where the "action" is (at least as compared to armor or something)? I do realize that of course there are intelligence cells in the Middle East (for interrogations and proximity advantages etc.) but how many intelligence officers are in America as compared to abroad in Afghanistan or Iraq?

I don't know about Army but Marine Corps has a lot of different Intel jobs. You have SigInt, HumInt, Ground... I think there are 5 total. After O-3 it all becomes the same thing though (in the Marines). Your job will depend on the MOS you get not your major. I know the Army is different but your major probablywon't help when you select, but I know TBS couldn't care less. If you want to do analysis do SigInt. If you want to lead a platoon (ie Scout Sniper Platoon w/ a chance of going MARSOC) go Ground. Ground also goes to IOC.

No matter what your job is you will always be doing basically the same thing: advising a batt commander.

Now its time for an internet search to find a little Hooah info, but I've already got useful info in my head maybe you should take this one.

Most military warfare communities/branches/MOS have official websites these days. And, though my experience is with USNA and the Navy, I'm sure USMA will have many briefs on various professional opportunities, and you will have the opportunity to meet intelligence officers from various specialty areas and ranks. "Needs of the Army" is no doubt just as reliable a career driver as "Needs of the Navy" was for me. That means, as noted by a previous poster, "you could be here... or you could be there." Congratulations on your appointment, and good luck.

I pasted in some MI G-2 (the skinny, the intel, and in the Navy, "gouge") below, from an Army ROTC website, http://www.goarmy.com/RotcViewJob.do?id=301. This website can also link to other officer careers and specialties:

Military Intelligence Officer Active Duty
The Army's Military Intelligence (MI) is responsible for all intelligence gathered or learned during Army missions. MI Officers are always out front, providing essential intelligence and in many cases saving Soldiers who are fighting on the front lines.

Military Intelligence Officers also assess risks associated with friendly and enemy courses of action and act to counter or neutralize identified intelligence threats. The MI Officer also uses intelligence systems and data to reduce uncertainty of enemy, terrain and weather conditions for a commander.

A Military Intelligence Officer specializes in these specific areas:

Imagery Intelligence Officer: Supervises the collection and analysis of optical, infrared and RADAR imagery using photogrammetry and terrain analysis.

All-Source Intelligence Officer: Performs collection management, surveillance and reconnaissance activities and provides advice on the use of resources on all levels.

The responsibilities of a Military Intelligence Lieutenant may include:

Commanding and controlling the Military Intelligence Soldiers and combined armed forces during combat and intelligence gathering operations.
Coordinate employment of Military Intelligence Soldiers at all levels of command, from platoon to battalion and higher, in U.S. and multi-national operations.

Military Intelligence Officer training includes completion of the Military Intelligence Officer Basic Course (MIOBC), where you will learn leadership skills, tactics, maintenance and operational aspects of weapons and vehicles used in an Infantry platoon. Your training will take place in classrooms and in the field.

Being a leader in the Army requires certain qualities. A leader exhibits self-discipline, initiative, confidence and intelligence. They are physically fit and can perform under physical and mental pressures. Leaders make decisions quickly, always focusing on completing the mission successfully, and show respect for their subordinates and other military officers. Leaders lead from the front and adjust to environments that are always changing. They are judged by their ability to make decisions on their own and bear ultimate moral responsibility for those decisions.

Military Intelligence Officers may continue in the Operations career field, serving in MI at ever increasing levels of leadership and responsibility.

Responsibilities of a Military Intelligence Captain may include:

Commanding and controlling company-sized Military Intelligence units (200-300 Soldiers).
Coordinate employment of Military Intelligence Soldiers at all levels of command, from company to division level and beyond, in U.S. and multi-national operations.
Develop doctrine, organizations and equipment for unique Military Intelligence missions.
Instruct Military Intelligence skills at service schools and combat training centers.
Serve as a Military Intelligence advisor to other units, including Army National Guard and U.S. Army Reserve organizations.

An Army or Army Reserve career in the military intelligence can transfer to work in the civilian world in law enforcement, Federal employment careers in the FBI, CIA and National Security Agency, and Private Investigation. Additionally, the leadership skills you acquire as an Army Officer will help you in many types of civilian careers. An Officer in the Army is most closely related to a vital manager in a corporation.